WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Events
- Membership Renewal Time -- Please Respond by July 31
- Hot Tub Havdalah, July 7
- Sunday in the Park with Bagels, July 8
- Israeli Film Night, July 28
- Save the Date! Poolside BBQ Bash, August 4
- Coming Soon: The Backpack Project
- National Convention in November - Early Bird Registration Closes June 30
- Book Club, August 16
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Next Shabbat Service, July 6
- Upcoming Special Services
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Privacy”
Israel Awareness
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
- Events and Programs from Interfaith Council
Ongoing Fundraisers
- Simcha Tree Leaves
- Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
- Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
- Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGive, and More
- SHOP Shir Hadash
MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS
Membership Renewal Time
It's time to renew your commitment/membership in Shir Hadash for the coming year. In an effort to streamline the process and reduce the use of paper, all our forms will, once again, be available on ShulCloud. (If you prefer to use paper forms for your registration, please contact our office at 847-498-8218.) Detailed information and instructions were sent out last week. Please complete your renewal by July 31. If you need assistance, contact Julie Wellisch at admin@shir-hadash.org, or our Executive Director Geoff Prass at geoff@shir-hadash.org.
Gift of Membership
Every renewing member will receive a Gift of Membership certificate in the mail, along with information on the program. Use the Gift to provide a free one-year membership to a friend or relative who has never been a regular or a High Holiday member of Shir Hadash previously. Your gift includes the recipient’s access to the High Holidays provided that their certificate is received at the office no later than Friday, August 17. Please note, the Gift eliminates dues for the full year. It does not include school tuition or fees.
Hot Tub Havdalah, Saturday, July 7, 7:30pm
Community Havdalah, Social, Dessert and Hang-Out at the Schleicher home! Join the Shir Hadash community at 7:30pm for a musical havdalah service to end shabbat and a fun party at the home and garden of members Sandi & Lise Schleicher. No RSVP necessary -- please just show up!
If it is too hot outside, we will retreat to the AC. We will provide s'mores and beverages; please bring a nosh to share. If you are partaking of the hot tub, please bring your suit and towel. This is a family-friendly event -- we would love to see you and your kids!
The Schleichers are on the NE corner of Dehne and Western, 2384 Dehne Ave. in Northbrook. Please note that Western Ave. is under construction and SAYS "road closed" but generally is passable from north to south in the evenings. Parking is available at the Wescott School lot across the street. If you have questions or need directions, call 847 559 9379.
Sunday in the Park with Bagels, July 8
Don’t miss Sunday in the Park with Bagels a free, family-friendly “tour of the Jewish calendar” with crafts, activities, music, and bagels! The program runs from 10:00 to 11:30 am on July 8, and is open to all families with young children. The location is Willow Stream Park 651 Old Checker Road in Buffalo Grove. (In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Temple Chai.) Sunday in the Park is presented by the Northwest Suburban Jewish Connectors, an organization that includes Shir Hadash. If you would like to volunteer at Shir Hadash’s table for this special event, contact Lynne Arons, LynneArons1@gmail.com or or 847 732 7001.
Israeli Film Night, July 28
We have an exciting movie planned for the evening of July 28 at 7:30. We will be showing The Band's Visit, a highly praised Israeli film that inspired this year's Tony award-winning Best Musical. It's a fantastic film with an inspiring message. Admission is free and snacks will be available for purchase.
Shir Hadash needs to pay a licensing fee every time we hold a movie screening. If anyone is interested in helping by donating or being a sponsor, please contact Burton Kopulsky at bkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu.
Save the Date! Poolside BBQ Bash, August 4
Mark your calendar for an evening of food, friends, and relaxation at Mehran Farahmandpour's house in Long Grove. We will BBQ, enjoy some wine, sit poolside and enjoy an evening of community. The menu will include Kosher hot dogs, burgers, vegetarian burgers, and more, plus dessert, of course!
We'll start at 6:00pm. Bring a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a favorite cousin :)If interested in swimming, you are welcome to bring your swimsuit. On the chance of rain, we will relocate indoors.
Click here for more details and registration. Please be sure to RSVP by Friday, August 3. Questions? Contact Mehran at mehranf@aol.com.
Coming Soon: The Backpack Project
Shir Hadash is proud to be participating in The Backpack Project, coordinated by The Ark. This project ensures that school-age children in need have both a backpack and the necessary school supplies to allow them to be successful in school this Fall. Donations will be collected this July. Each backpack will need to be stocked with the necessary school supplies and will need to be delivered to the Synagogue or to Alan Bernover by July 25. More information will follow as to what items are needed to participate in this worthy endeavor.
Volunteer Office Help at SH
It’s that time of year again! The Shir Hadash office is seeking some volunteers for the summer/fall season. Please contact Julie Wellisch at admin@shirhadash.org or call the office at 847 498 8218 if you can help us out. Very part-time flexible time slots available.
National Reconstructing Judaism Convention, November
Early Bird Discount Rates Close on June 30
The annual convention for the Reconstructing Judaism Movement will be held November 15-18 in Philadelphia. Registration is open for this exciting event filled with workshops, music, worship, and fresh ideas. Sign up before June 30 to take advantage of early bird discounts! Click here for registration details, or contact Executive Director Geoff Prass, geoff@shir-hadash.org, for more information.
Book Club, August 16
The next Book Club selection will be What the Lady Wants by Renee Rosen. This is a historical novel about Marshall Field and the rebuilding of Chicago after the Great Fire. We will meet on Thursday, August 16. Contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com for more information.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Next Shabbat Service, Friday July 6
Enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family, and join us in July!
Upcoming Special Events
Mark your calendar for these special services in July:
- Tisha B’Av Commemoration, July 21, 7:30pm
- Shabbat Morning Bike Ride with the Rabbi, July 28
More details in upcoming newsletters!
Oneg Volunteers Needed for Services
Sign up to help as an oneg volunteer for one of our upcoming services. It's easy: just click here to pick a date, bring a challah, and show up! You'll receive a reminder email the week before with more details. For more information, contact Sean Fisher-Rohde at oneg@shir-hadash.org.
THE RABBI’S CORNER
June 29-30, 2018 17 Tammuz 5778
Shabbat Balak
Torah Portion: Numbers 22:2-25:9 / Haftarah Portion: Micah 5:6-6:8
“Privacy”
Dear Friends,
What made the Israelites unique amongst the peoples of the Middle East? In this week’s Torah portion, the Midianite prophet Bil’am was sent to curse the children of Israel as they made their way towards the Promised Land. Even through he tried his best to comply with his orders, he simply could not utter a single bad word about the Children of Israel. Instead, what came from his mouth were the words “How beautiful are your tents, O’ Jacob, your dwellings, O’ Israel.”
The Medieval Torah commentator Rashi asked what made the Israelite tents so beautiful that Bil’am was moved to utter a blessing in place of a curse. Rashi’s answer was that the Israelite tents were situated so that no one could look into the opening of another family’s tent. He taught that the Israelites were practicing a unique form of respect and dignity by upholding the privacy of every Israelite. From this sight, Bil’am knew that the Israelites were special and that they were most worthy of blessing.
Yes, we are a unique people amongst the peoples of the earth. Even though we stress the importance of community, individual privacy is promoted and prized. Our communities are built on trust, honesty, and fairness. Morality, ethics, and common decency lead the way.
“How beautiful are your tents, O’ Jacob…”
Zay a mentsch – be a good person.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's Corner, please visit our website.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Did You Know? Facts About Israel
The big winner in musicals at this year's Tony awards was The Band's Visit which is based on a 2007 Israeli film about a group of Egyptian musicians who accidentally end up staying in an Israeli town.
It won best musical and it took three out of the four acting awards!
Israeli actor Sasson Gabai will be heading to New York this summer to take up the lead role on stage that he played in the 2007 film, Egyptian Colonel Tewfiq Zakaria.
We will be showing the original film that inspired this musical at Shir Hadash! See the upcoming events section of this newsletter.
NORTHWEST SUBURBAN INTERFAITH COUNCIL
More Events and Projects from the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
Shir Hadash is an active member of the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council. We look forward to the summer with the following upcoming programs:
- 5th Annual Service Trip to Detroit, August 1-5: Volunteers will work with Cass Community Social Services to repair, maintain and build facilities to benefit the hungry, homeless, and unemployed. For more information and to register, click here.
- Food Donations: Please remember those less fortunate. Donations of canned goods are accepted throughout the year at our food pantries located at Congregation Beth Am (1370 Abbott Court, Buffalo Grove), Kingswood Methodist Church (401 W. Dundee, Buffalo Grove) and St. Mary Parish (10 North Buffalo Grove Road.)
We are discussing ideas for further educational programming. If you have any suggested topics, please contact Suzanne Wexler at skwexler@yahoo.com or 847-769-8257.
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
Simcha Tree Leaves Available for Purchase
Our Tree of Joy—a Simcha Tree—is situated in our Community Room to remind us of all the joys of our lives. The leaves come in copper, silver, and gold. Each leaf marks a lasting memory of a joyous simcha in the lives of members of Shir Hadash. We invite you to add your loved ones’ simchas to our Tree and share your nachaswith our congregation or just add your loved ones’ names out of love. Leaves can be purchased to mark your special family or individual accomplishments. Click here to see additional information and make your purchase.
Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
The Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove or Butterfield’s Restaurant in Northbrook will donate 5% of your total bill to Shir Hadash! No flyer needed – just mention Shir Hadash when you are paying or fill out the Shir Hadash book behind the desk.
Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
Having a Memorial Plaque for a loved one in Shir Hadash’s Memorial Wall ensures that Yahrzeit will be observed for them in perpetuity by our congregation.The cost for a plaque is $360. Many congregants prepay and reserve plaques.You may register for the plaque(s) through our website, or request a paper order form by calling the office (847-498-8218).
Fundraiser Information Now Available on Shul Cloud
You can help Shir Hadash at no extra cost to you by taking advantage of a variety of ongoing fundraisers, including iGive, Amazon Smile, and more. For complete details, click here.
SHOP SHIR HADASH
SHOP for Summer
SHOP is the easiest way to support the shul without spending an extra dime! Purchase gift cards through SHOP and the vendors pay a percentage back to Shir Hadash. Orders can be picked up in the Shir Hadash office. For more information, email Michelle at SHOP@shir-hadash.org.
Thank you for supporting Shir Hadash with your SHOP purchases!
To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
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